Rising sea level, water scarcity and available teaching materials a challenge for Moce Islanders

With the few resources available, the students, teachers and villagers on Moce Island in Lau have taken the initiative to plant mangroves on their shoreline to counter the effects of climate change.

Moce Secondary School teacher Vunisei Taufa says one of the challenges they face on the island is the rising sea level.

She says now, when it is high tide or bad weather, huge waves reach the school playground.

Taufa says they have been asking the government for a seawall, but since the assistance has not reached the island, the students and villagers have come together to plant mangroves.

She also highlighted that one major issue for the school is water scarcity, which has been partially addressed through the assistance rendered by stakeholders.

The teacher said when they faced water problems, the primary school opened for half a day, and the other half would cater for secondary school students.

She adds their main source of water is rainwater.

Taufa says the student roll for Moce Secondary School has increased from 58 last year to 71, and it caters for children from the two villages on Moce and nearby islands such as Oneata, Fulaga, Namuka, Ogea, and Kabara.

The Moce Secondary School teacher says damages from TC Rae were not as bad as TC Yasa because they had prepared well this time.